Thanks you once again, you marvelous reviewers, and the insightful PM from Eckles. You're all awesome!

Chapter 13: A Happy Christmas at the Burrow

Pt II: Lovely Christmas Decorations

A little while later Hermione found herself being led around the various places in and outside of the Burrow.

"This is the garden, where mum grows a lot of fresh foods. Cabbage, tomatoes, those sorts. Out there are the apple and pear fields." Fred said as he pointed to a section of the fields surrounding the Burrow.

"And this little bother," George said picking up a gnome and conjuring a cricket paddle, "is one of our pesky little visitors." He put it down, took quick aim and then blasted the poor fellow out beyond the fields. (an: I didn't know what instrument it is beaters use)

"Oh, that's barbaric! He's was such a cute little thing." Hermione gasped.

"Don't let mum hear that. She makes Ron and us de-gnome the gardens all the time." Fred explained.

"Something Ginny here gets out of most frequently."

"Oh, like I wouldn't trade you for kitchen duty." Ginny replied with a groan.

"Here comes Harry and Ron." George said.

Hermione turned around to see the two coming toward them.

"Are we still on for that quidditch game?" Harry asked. Ron stayed quiet, but he glanced over at Hermione. He noticed that she traded in her boots for a pair of sneakers. As the weather was rather warm for a winter day, she had left her coat behind and sported a form-fitting red sweater.

"Of course!" Fred answered. "We'll go get the others. Hermione, you in?"

Hermione shook her head. "No thank you."

Ron was about to open his mouth, but decided against it. He had kept his promise to her, only Harry knew about her fear of flying. He figured Ginny knew as well.

"Hermione, you don't mind?" Harry asked.

"No, that's alright. It's a lovely day, for winter that is. I'll just sit over by that lovely tree and read while I watch."

In a short while the teams were made. Charlie had gotten Harry, Ron and Ginny. Bill's team had the twins and Fleur. During the game Hermione found herself more and more involved with watching the game rather than her reading, a tomb about the first war after Hogwarts was founded, as the game became quite intense. She knew Harry was a brilliant Seeker, but Fleur was also quite impressive. The game ended when Harry caught the snitch and his team won. Otherwise the score had been at 90 to 110 in Bill's team favor.

Just then Molly's voice was heard shouting from the Burrow. "Dinner is almost ready! I expect all of you to clean up first!"

The teams made a quick dash toward the kitchen door while Hermione lingered behind, carrying her heavy tomb. Charlie came up to her. "Where are my brother' manners? Let me carry it for you." He said lightheartedly.

Hermione laughed. "Thank you. My eyes are still a bit sore." She wasn't sure if he meant Ron or the other Weasley brood in general.

Charlie examined the book. "Ah, I've read this one." He commented. He took a quick look over to Ron, who looked perplexed. He gave his brother a smirk.

"Really?" Hermione asked. "It's not on the reading lists, I should know since I tutor students from all years."

"I know. Just call it a fancy I have for early history."

Hermione grinned back. "And it has nothing to do with the enslavement of dragons at the time?"

"None whatsoever." He replied cheekily.

Dinner was quite the feast. An entire roasted lamb had been prepared, as were mass amounts of potatoes and vegetables along with sides of corn pudding and warmed bread.

"Oh, Mrs. Weasley, I wish you had asked for some assistance. This is quite the meal you have prepared!" Hermione said as Fred, seated on one side of her, passed her the bread.

"Nonsense, dear. I do it every year. I am just glad that you are here."

Hermione blushed as a round of agreement was made. "Thank you." She replied shyly.

"Hope I'm not late." A voice called as another redheaded young man came into the kitchen.

"Percy!" Mrs. Weasley cried as she got up and ran over to hug him.

Mr. Weasley followed to greet his son as well but only shook Percy's hand.

Hermione noticed Ron looking angry, and heard the twins whisper something that she could not hear. She looked over at Harry in question, but he just slightly shook his head.

"You told me you weren't going to make it!" Mrs. Weasley said smacking him on the arm.

Percy's face turned a light shade of red. "I wanted to surprise you." He took an uneasy glance about the room, acknowledging his brothers, Harry and Fleur. "And who is this enchanting young woman?" He said as his eyes fell of Hermione.

Hermione blushed again and stood up to shake his hand. "Hermione Granger. I go to Hogwarts."

"Ah, yes, I have heard of you." Percy said in an all-knowing tone. Harry and Ginny noticed her eyes slightly narrow at the revelation. He took her hand and placed a soft kiss on it. "The ministry is well aware of your scholarly accomplishments."

"No doubt they also read the Quidditch Times." Ron smirked. Charlie, who sat next to his youngest brother, jerked him hard with his elbow.

Ignoring his brother's "Ow!" Percy kept his eyes on the lovely young girl in front of him. "I heard you are Head Girl. I myself was Head Boy."

"And Bill, too," Hermione added. "Your family is full of talented and wonderful people." At the last statement her eyes turned to Ron, who blushed. Molly noticed and beamed at the subtle gesture.

"And it's good to be home!" Percy said looking over his family once again. "Ginny, scoot over." And he placed himself right next to Hermione.

Throughout the meal Percy made small talk with his family and seemed more interested in Hermione than anything else. Luckily, Bill and Charlie were quick to defuse the scene, opening up to their brother by making more meaningful conversation.

The twins focused their attention to Harry and Ron, mostly by making snide comments about Percy that were unheard as he rattled on about his job to Hermione and his parents, then got caught up with Bill and Charlie. Hermione heard bits and pieces from both ends of the table, and scowled at the twins when their comments began to become louder.

"So Charlie, I hear you're dating someone rather seriously. I was hoping I would have the chance to meet her." Percy said.

"Yes, Beatrice is quite the lovely young woman. She'll be arriving for the New Year's Party. Muggle born family, like Hermione here." He paused, casting a quick glance to Ron. Ron and Harry were the only ones to notice. "I met her out on the fields, she's doing her dissertation on the breeding that we're doing with some of our most hostile dragons and the more domesticated breeds."

"Fascinating," Percy mused. "Hermione, have you ever visited the dragon fields? Or seen one?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes, there was a presentation made at Durmstrang in my third year. They showed the four breeds that were later used in the TriWizard Tournament, if I recall correctly.

Charlie nodded. "Yes, they were planning that already. I think Karkaroff wanted to give his own heads-up to his students."

"I told you Krum knew about them, Harry." Ron said from down the table.

Hermione swiftly turned her head. "Victor wasn't even there. He was preparing for a Quidditch match."

"They did the same thing at my academy." Fleur commented.

"Oh, friendly with him all the way back then?" Ron snided, ignoring his sister-in-law.

"Yes, as a matter of fact we were friends. Just that." Hermione snapped.

Ron grimaced as his mother shot him a warning look. The twins were bad enough, Ron was just making things worse. It was enough that the entire group got the hint and the rest of the evening passed by without a hitch.

Later that night…

After midnight Hermione found herself unable to sleep. Not that the bed wasn't comfortable, but she just couldn't get out the thought of being Ron's mystery girl at the Yule Ball. Is that why he keeps on about Victor? She thought. Or was she taking it for meaning too much? Surely he can't remember me from back then.

She knew Ginny was now asleep, and decided to go downstairs for some light reading and perhaps some hot chocolate or tea, if she could find any without making any noise. Leaving her wand, she grabbed a muggle book she'd brought and softly tip-toed out of the room and down the winding stairs.

Deciding against any warm liquids, she curled up on the couch and found herself mesmerized by the Weasley's lopsided, yet fully decorated, Christmas tree. The ornaments were all magical and made funny little movements, some making soft music.

A "choo-choo" train wound around the tree with each compartment labeled after a member of the Weasley family, Fleur included, in descending order, except that Fleur's was paired with Bill's train. Each was a different color. Ron's was maroon with blue lights, while Ginny's was green with orange lights. The twins were purple with yellow stripes and the reverse.

Stockings were floating around the tree, all red with gold trim and white cotton around the top. There were two extra: one for her and one for Harry. Also floating around, near the fireplace, were Christmas cards owled from various friends and family of the Weasley's. She smiled as she noticed the one she sent Harry and Ron from "Maria".

"Er, sorry." A voice said breaking her out of her trance. She turned to see Ron standing nearby in his pajamas. It was warm inside the Burrow, so neither had bothered to bring a robe with them. Hermione wore only a t-shirt and pajama pants cropped at the knees. "I…I couldn't sleep." He stammered.

Hermione smiled warmly. She didn't want to chase him off again. "Neither could I." She turned to face the tree again. "It's quite lovely, your tree." She said.

Ron smiled. He was going to head straight back upstairs, but something in her voice led him to stay. "Took us hours. Does every year. When I was a kid I used to complain…didn't see why we had to bother taking it down only to put it back up again the next year."

Hermione laughed. "I suppose almost every child adores Christmas. Except Harry…I imagine he didn't have many fond holidays until he met you." She moved to make room for Ron, and he hesitantly sat down next to her.

"No, reckon he didn't. The Dursley's treated him like shite." He paused, waiting for Hermione to scold his use of words. "Sorry." He said when she didn't.

"No worries."

The two sat in silence for awhile, each just looking at the tree. Finally, Ron made the first move. "I'm sorry." He said quietly. This time for something more than just his language.

"For what?" She didn't really mean to ask for specifics; any other time she might have demanded he list the things he was sorry for, as he had pissed her several times the last couple of months. But now it hardly seemed to matter. She scooted an inch closer and turned to face him.

"For being such a git to you. You're a really wonderful girl, Hermione. And you mean a lot to Harry…as a friend…to me, too."

He was so close to her now. Without meaning to, she upped the stakes. "And to you? As a friend?"

Ron had been thinking a lot since he'd locked himself in his room earlier. Too much, his inner voice had reasoned. It was why he was up now, at the late hour. Ron felt his face going closer to hers. Without realizing what he was doing, he softly pressed his lips against hers.

Hermione gasped, then felt herself looking upward as if expecting to see magical mistletoe above her head. There was none. Ron had kissed her. On his own. She leaned into him and kissed him back.

Ron had been worried when she looked up, but realized what she was doing. His heart pounding so loud she must surely could hear, he had been afraid she was scared off. He had never freely kissed a girl before, not on his own. But then she leaned into him…into him! And kissedhim! He kissed her back and felt one shaking hand reach up to cup her face. She was exquisite. He deepened the kiss, feeling his nervousness replaced by a new sense of courage.

Hermione moaned softly as his tongue entered her mouth. She responded by wrapping her own around his as he slowly leaned into her. His arms circled around her slim waist, and she wrapped her own around his neck.

She stopped them for a moment, letting him continue to lean her down. "I'm sorry, too, Ron. I know you didn't believe me that night in my room. And you are right. There are things…secrets…I am keeping from you. Not because I want to…because I have to."

"Then there's nothing we can do about it now, is there?" He spoke quietly as he leaned in for another searing kiss.

As they fell deeper into the couch he was suddenly glad for his height…her legs were edged around his so that his growing arousal burying itself into the couch, and not onto her. But this same height had also caused him to outgrow his pajama top, and he let out his own groan as her hands slipped from his neck to circle his waist and met the cool feel of his skin. He felt the urge to kiss her more passionately, but held back. He didn't want to ruin the moment, but soon all thoughts left him as they two continued kissing each other tenderly well into the wee hours of the night.

To be continued…so here is the vote! But first, a tribute to Halfling, the author of Scales and a Tail, who had another official kiss Hermione's hand and give tribute to our brilliant witch, much to the dismay of two Slytherins. Funny, I remember telling Coconut Girl she had a scene that reminded me of another in Scales…I'll have to remember what it is.

I need you to tell me who should find Hermione and Ron the next morning so please put your vote with a review. Here are your choices:

Molly

Arthur

Harry

Ginny

Twins

Charlie/Bill/Fleur

Percy

No one – let the couple be in peace! At least, for their first night of…you know ;)